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Helen Herr, 94, of Fontanelle, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Greenfield Rehabilitation Health Care Center in Greenfield.
Funeral Services: Will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Iowa, with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial. Pastor Steven Broers will officiate the service. The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to the Helen Herr Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date. Online condolences may be left to the family at to be www.lambfuneralhomes.com.
Helen Lavina Bunce Herr was born Aug. 31, 1928, the daughter of Dale and Gladys (Beaman) Bunce in Harrison Township, Adair County. Helen was raised in Harrison township, attended Harrison No. 4 and Stuart High School, then completed her “normal training” in Cedar Falls. She started teaching in a one-room school just two days after her 18th birthday.
On June 4, 1950, she was united in marriage to Wilfred Henry Herr in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Helen taught a few more years at country school, then began a decades-long career as a substitute teacher and reenacting the one-room country school experience for many students attending Adair County Schools, Dickinson County Schools and for numerous bus tours traveling through Adair County.
Helen was active in numerous community organizations, including Women of the ELCA, serving in local and regional offices, creating various banners and quilts, assisting with Bible School and preparing and fixing the Christmas program costumes; 4-H, serving as co-superintendent for the Adair County 4-H and FFA building for 28 years and was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2004; Adair County Farm Bureau Women and the Historical Society. Helen also received the Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award in 2003 for countless years of service to others.
She enjoyed traveling and was able to visit all 50 U.S. states along with some other countries. She made many quilts for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many other family members. Helen also volunteered alongside the quilting ladies at her church making quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She loved spending time with family, especially the grandchildren, the three Bohling boys from across the road, who were like sons to her, as well as neighbors, teachers and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilfred Herr in 1995 and brothers and their wives, Clare and Virginia Bunce and Earl and Arlene Bunce.
She is survived by a son, Bruce (Sherry) Herr of Fontanelle; daughter, Karen (David) Rutledge of Estherville; six grandchildren: Chad (Shawna) Herr, Nic and special friend Dionne Fett, Matt (Tiffany) Herr, Lauri (Brian) Talyat, Mindy Rutledge and significant other Greg Prentice and Tom (Sheila) Rutledge; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; extended son, Lynn (Elaine) Bohling; sister, Doris (Dale) Molln; many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
The family of Helen Herr wish to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow and invite you to share in the lunch served at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Parish Hall following services at the cemetery.